20 Questions with the Corsican Sisters

Well after much travel and bouts of seasickness the Eskalyan Chronicle has finally caught up with those two whirlwinds that are the Corsican sisters. We caught up with them at the seaside villa of Francesca Dervilia Lucrezia Dulcinea Sosanna Benedetta de Corsicana. It is a wonderful lavish villa right on the beach. The gardens were amazing and there was every luxury that could be bought. Francesca and her sister Alessandra Estel Ortensia Nicole met with us in the orangery that was overflowing with fragrant blooms of exotic trees. The two sisters were each accompanied by a personal companion. They are very attractive and powerful men. The gentleman with Alessandra I recognized as the Captain from one of their ships. He was standing to her right with a protective hand on her shoulder. The striking young man next to Francesca was to her left and visibly armed. In fact all 4 of them were armed.

EC - Why were you raised by a nanny and what was your early life like with her?

Hanz- Our parents died when we were very young, I hardly remember our parents

Franz- Yes we were orphans, well to do orphans but alone none the less. That is when we were taken in by Nanny Von Schtoop.

Hanz- She could never pronounce our names so she called me Hanz and my sister Franz.

Franz- She dressed us in ugly German clothes that were years out of fashion. She dragged us along when she took up performing. She performed in Germany and I hated the cold.

Hanz- I didn't like the cold either, brrrrrr give me the nice warm life.

Franz- One bright note is that we were taught how to defend ourselves with swords from the swordsman who worked in the show. We also learned many languages, finances, and art from her. (ed. note, Von Schtoop has retired from theater because she was tired, so tired of... she fell asleep as she declined to be interviewed)

EC- What is your favorite place to live?

Hanz- My favorite place to live is a small village in the north region of Tuscany called Portofino . But I am currently looking for some decent land in the Aragon region.

Franz-I love Greece and here in Barcelona , though in the winter I am sailing in the southern water near to Egypt and those lands.

EC- Would you be so gracious as to introduce the two men that are accompanying you?

Hanz- This is Viggaro of Aragon, he is the captain of my ship Black Rose, he is talented in so very many ways. He writes poetry, paints, is extremely good with his sword, and he has been my body servant and close companion for years now. On occasion he ranges ahead to secure ports for me, he also has quite the way with horses and is a great tracker in the wilds. There is not much he doesn't do. But you can't have him!!!!

Franz- I am a believer in education, and my companion Orlando is in training to better his knowledge of life. From me he will learn how to live life to the fullest, and I receive good conversations and companionship... the rest is between Orlando and myself. As you can see my sister would not share Viggaro, so I have my Orlando . And you can't have him either!!!

EC- How many husbands have you had?

Hanz- I have had some, they were all adventurous men and they seemed to go off and die in their adventures. Are you trying to imply something here?

Franz- A couple, A few, okay many. Are you threatening me!!

EC- Do you have any children?

Hanz- I have three children they live with a cousin of mine in England

Fanz- No I have no children, I like Hanz' kids though, I visit them every so often.

EC - Do you know that you have striking resemblance to two other women that we have met while tracking you down.

Hanz - You must be thinking of Margaret Anne of Somerset , she is my cousin and has the raising of my children.

Franz- It must be that Lady Bianca; no I am not related to her. Is she threatening me??

EC- Why were the two of you kicked of the Island of Corsica ?

Hanz- Well, it is a sordid story. We were 14 and the Marques son was interested in a not so good way in Franz. Wouldn't take no as an answer, well there are no hapless women here to push around. We challenged him to a duel and sort of ran him through. We decided that traveling the world was much better than the nunnery on the island.

Franz- He was really interested in Hanz if you must know.

EC- Do you think that men are intimidated by a strong woman who can wield a sword or do they find it sexy?

Hanz- It really depends on the man. Vig is not put off by me being able to wield a sword. A woman should always be able to defend herself.

Franz- Sexy? What is sexy? ( Orlando leans over and whispers something in her ear) Ohhhh! I see. Ah youth!! Well I would have to say that it does depend on the man. I also tend to be attracted to very strong men of will. Sexy indeed.

EC- What is your favorite place to eat?

Hanz- It is at my friend’s villa in Lombardy , Their cook is a marvel, and I think his name is something like Batali. Wonderful food!!

Franz- My favorite here in Barcelona is El Ascensor, it is on Montcadae and Marcus.

EC- The two of you are noted for your shopping habits. Where is the best deal on things?

Hanz-I find that the whole world is my market, and there is much to be had by traveling around. I must say that for truly quality glass one must go to Murano. It will be worth your efforts to secure glass by these talented artisans.

Franz- I never stop shopping, just the other day I found some lovely white wool and green silk, it was delivered directly to my tailor Juan. For great deals of cloth and fashion one has to go to Milan .

EC- How do you support yourselves?

Hanz- I have a very large spice trading company, I also import treasure from the Far East . It is a truly lucrative business. And there were also the inheritances from former husbands.

Franz_ My last husband was a Spanish noble and left me very well off. It included a textile mill, ship my dear Dubh Rose came from this fleet. and there is a lucrative wine export business as well.

EC- Other than your sister do you have any other siblings?

Hanz- I certainly hope not as our parents died young. Why is someone claiming this?

Franz- No, none that I know of.

EC- Do you have any favorite colors?

Hanz- That's a bit of a fluff question but yes green and black. They look the best on me and set off my eyes and hair wonderfully.

Franz- I don't have just one. I love reds, blues, purple, really just about anything that strikes my mood at that time.

EC- What is the best part of living in Spain ?

Hanz- I don't live in Spain !! But the best part of Italy is the food, shopping, and scenery!!

Franz- My villa here in Barcelona , it is roomy and comfortable and I love the view of the ocean!!

EC- Do you often visit your sister in Venice ?

Hanz- I love it when we all meet at my house in Venice . It is a truly beautiful city and the sunrises and sunsets take my breath away.

Franz- Quite often, we go to the theater, to musical performances, and of course shopping!!

EC- Who would you most like to meet and why?

Hanz- Leonardo da Vinci, he was the most creative and far seeing man that this world will ever see for a long long time. His artwork is beyond my words to describe!

Franz- Isabella I of Castile , she is one tenacious woman. I admire her strength and determination

EC- Do you think that you will ever get married again?

Hanz- I do not believe that there will be marriage in the future. Viggaro is going to be with me for a long time. We are companions of the sword and soul. There is a bond between us that does not require marriage. There is love but no need for marriage.

Franz- No, marriage is not something I look for. I am quite well settled into being a widow and doing as I please. Orlando will keep me company for quite sometime I think and that is all I need. We have a special bond.

EC- Do you have any feeling of allegiance to the royalty of Spain ?

Hanz- I have no allegiance to any country or leader!!

Franz- A little, my late husband was Spanish nobility and the crown protects my business because of that. I would lend support if asked.

EC- Have you ever actually killed anyone in a duel?

Hanz- I am not going to answer that!!( Viggaro moves a hand to grip his sword and stands a little more closely to Alessandra)

Franz- What? Are you trying to coerce me into implicating my sister and I!! I shall not answer

Hastily we reassure them that we were just curious and that we will not pursue that type of question again. Viggaro relaxes his stance but glare with a very alarming glint in his eye.

EC- What do you plan on doing in the next few months?

Hanz- Viggaro and I are sailing to the East Indies with half of our fleet to pick up a shipment of pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. We will also go the lands of China and procure some silk and porcelains

Franz- Orlando and I are heading to the West Indies , I here there is much trade there and that it is beautiful. We will have to be careful as I hear that there are pirates in that area.

A bell rings in the background and the ladies excuse themselves, stating that it is time for their meetings with their confessor, Father Guido Sarducci. Orlando and Viggaro escort us to the gates of the villa. They leave us wondering where we can get lessons on sword work if that is the type of man that it attracts. Until next time, yours the wandering reporter.